Filed by workers who weren't paid for renovations or repairs.

Filed by government agencies for unpaid income or property taxes.

Resulting from a court ruling after a homeowner loses a lawsuit. HOA Liens: For unpaid homeowners association dues. The Risks of Proceeding Lien on Property: What Real Estate Agents Should Know

Buying a house with a lien is possible, but it adds layers of complexity and risk to your transaction. A lien is a legal claim against a property by a creditor to ensure an unpaid debt is recovered. Because liens "attach" to the property rather than the individual, you could become legally responsible for the debt if it isn't cleared before you take ownership.

These are placed without the owner's consent, such as:

The most common is a mortgage , which the owner willingly accepts as collateral for a loan.